Should You Buy Non-Refundable Tickets and How to Refund Them

Occasionally, refunds are possible if you have a valid reason.

What Are Non-Refundable Tickets?

As the name suggests, non-refundable tickets cannot be returned or exchanged. Airlines and carriers use this policy to protect themselves from losses if a passenger decides not to travel. To encourage travelers to take this risk, these tickets are sold at a lower price compared to refundable ones.

This concept was introduced in Russia in 2014 with the sale of non-refundable airline tickets. The State Duma amended the Air Code of the Russian Federation, granting airlines the right to sell tickets under non-refundable tariffs.

Starting January 1, 2019, a law came into effect allowing the sale of non-refundable train tickets.

However, this option does not apply to buses. If you purchase tickets legally from licensed carriers, you can usually refund them.

When to Buy or Avoid Non-Refundable Tickets

Consider buying non-refundable tickets if you:

• Are certain your trip will proceed as planned.
• Do not depend on unreliable travel companions.
• Can take leave whenever necessary.
• Have no issues with visas or travel documents.

If flying, carefully review the airline’s baggage policies on their website. Sometimes, non-refundable tickets include a standard checked bag, but often they only cover carry-on luggage, with additional fees for checked bags. These extra charges may eliminate any savings.

Avoid non-refundable tickets if your travel depends on factors beyond your control, such as:

• Visa approvals pending.
• Caring for relatives with health issues.
• Unconfirmed vacation schedules.

In these cases, purchasing refundable tickets is safer to avoid potential financial loss.

How to Buy and Refund Non-Refundable Airline Tickets

How to Identify a Non-Refundable Ticket

These tickets typically carry one of the following labels:

• "Ticket is non-refundable / no-show" – ticket cannot be refunded.
• "Changes not permitted" – ticket cannot be exchanged.
• "Changes any time charge USD 00.00" – ticket can be changed for a fee indicated instead of zeros.
• "Name change not permitted" – passenger name cannot be altered.

Most low-cost carriers worldwide operate under these fare rules. For example, Aeroflot offers non-refundable tickets under "Economy Promo" and "Economy Budget" categories; UTair under "Minimum Economy"; S7 under "Basic" for both Economy and Business classes. International airlines typically do not allow refunds on tickets purchased during promotions or sales.

How to Refund a Non-Refundable Ticket

There are exceptions to the no-refund rule. Refunds may be granted in certain circumstances.

Force Majeure

If you or your travel companion fall ill, or a close relative passes away requiring trip cancellation, you may qualify for a refund.

Notify the airline via email about the special circumstances before check-in begins, then call customer service to confirm. The email serves as proof of notification since phone calls may not be recorded.

Prepare supporting documents such as:

• A medical certificate detailing the illness, hospital information, signatures and stamps from attending and chief physicians, issuance date, illness period, and a note advising against air travel.
• A certificate from the airport medical office if illness occurs immediately before departure.
• Copies of death certificates and documents proving family relationship.

Submit these along with a refund request to the airline’s postal address and await their decision.

Airline Faults

If your flight is canceled, significantly delayed, or you are denied boarding due to overbooking, you are entitled to compensation.

Request airline staff to mark your tickets with notes about the issues or obtain official statements. Keep copies of receipts for expenses caused by airline disruptions (hotel, bus tickets, etc.), attach them to your refund request, and mail the documents to the airline.

In cases where flights are canceled due to governmental flight bans (e.g., bans on flights to certain countries), forced refunds apply. For instance, when a presidential decree banned flights to Georgia, the tourism authority confirmed refunds for all tickets, including non-refundable ones, with airlines supporting this policy.

How to Recover Partial Costs on Non-Refundable Tickets

Some tickets marked "Changes any time charge USD 00.00" can be refunded for a fee. This fee often increases as the departure date approaches. Contact the airline’s support team and follow their refund instructions.

Another way to get partial money back is by reclaiming fees such as booking fees (YR), fuel surcharges (YQ), ticketing fees, and unused flight segment taxes (fees paid by airlines to countries for overflight and airport use).

Note that for tickets marked "YR/YQ tax is non-refundable only in case of a non-refundable fare," service and fuel surcharges are not refundable.

How to Purchase and Refund Non-Refundable Train Tickets

When buying train tickets at the station, inquire about the fare type. On the Russian Railways website, non-refundable tickets are indicated with a refund arrow icon.

Similar to airline tickets, non-refundable train tickets can be refunded if:

• You or your travel companion fall ill.
• A family member passes away.
• The train is canceled, delayed, or there is no available seat.

You have five days from the train’s departure date to visit the ticket office at your departure station with documents proving the force majeure situation.

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